Dedicated volunteer work: Diocese of Dresden-Meißen starts new project!

Dedicated volunteer work: Diocese of Dresden-Meißen starts new project!

On June 23, 2025, a remarkable special project to develop engagement was launched in the diocese of Dresden-Meißen. The aim of this project is to strengthen voluntary commitment in the parishes and to meet the current challenges. Parishes have the opportunity to apply for one of a maximum of twelve “special project positions,” each comprising 50% of a full-time position. These positions are intended to support the development of engagement-friendly structures over a period of 30 months to better address the needs of the community. The diocese reports that The focus is on topics such as city pastoral, diaconal community, as well as work with children, families and young people in rural areas.

The first special project positions will begin work in the parishes of Annaberg-Buchholz, Aue-Bad Schlema, Leipzig, Meißen, Riesa and Zwickau in autumn 2025, followed by further starts in Döbeln, Freiberg and Gera in spring 2026. Lena Steinjan, the speaker for volunteer work and committee work, will accompany the project and has the lasting impact in mind. Concepts to promote engagement should be developed that will last beyond the project period. Interested parishes can use a digital work aid in which the experiences gained are prepared - a valuable step in passing on knowledge and networking.

Voluntary work is changing

But what does the current landscape of volunteering in Germany look like? According to one Report from the Caritas Association Over 30% of the population volunteers for the diocese of Dresden-Meißen. However, reality has changed and classic volunteering, which is based on long-term commitments, no longer seems to be up to date. Young people in particular are increasingly getting involved on a short-term basis, which became clear at the latest during the refugee crisis in 2015. Mechthild Gatter, head of department in the Diocesan Caritas Association, emphasizes that it is essential to make places of engagement visible in order to promote the connection between those seeking help and those helping.

A pilot project was launched to support various areas of volunteer work, such as debt counseling and emergency pastoral care. Manja Döcke presented the “Neighborhood Assistance” project, which offers older people support in everyday life. Such initiatives are of immense importance given an aging population. Doris Walther from Caritas Meißen presented various relief services that rely on volunteers to maintain services for the community.

The numbers speak for themselves

But what are the real figures for volunteer work in Germany? Statistics show that 40% of people in Germany volunteered in 2019. A published report highlights that the 2019 engagement rate was 39.7%, an increase of over 30% since 1999. The engagement rate is particularly high among 30 to 49 year olds at 44.7%, followed by 14 to 29 year olds at 42%. The social sector, sport and exercise as well as cultural projects are the main areas in which people get involved.

Those who are committed often spend up to two hours per week, while 17.1% contribute six hours or more per week. 57% actively use the Internet for their voluntary work. This shows how digitalization contributes to connecting and activating a broader audience.

The developments in volunteering make it clear that it is time to adapt the structures and find new ways to get people excited about volunteer work. The diocese of Dresden-Meißen is on a promising path with its new project and is relying on sustainable structures that are intended to strengthen volunteer work in the region.